Team MTN Qhubekahttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com
#BicyclesChangeLivesMon, 02 Mar 2015 19:25:40 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1How did you get into cycling?http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7340
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7340#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 19:25:40 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7340Bicycles can change lives. They can change the lives of all of us and open perspectives. On of them is becoming a professional rider. We asked Songezo Jim, Jay Thomson, and Youcef Reguigui how they found their ways into cycling.
]]>http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?feed=rss2&p=73400GP Lugano: Impressionshttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7337
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7337#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 18:05:14 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7337Yesterday marked the first outing of Jacques Janse van Rensburg in his new SA Champion jersey on European race ground. Daniel Teklehaimanot and Nicolas Dougall had a busy day out front at the GP Lugano. Being able to get into the early break both showed the team’s stripes. Daniel later went solo to take the days GPM. His move set up an attack by Natnael Berhane in the final stages of the race.
]]>http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?feed=rss2&p=73370Preview: Le Samynhttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7313
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7313#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 12:41:27 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7313After a decent showing at the opening weekends spring classics, the next appointment for Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will be Le Samyn on Wednesday. It will be the 47th edition of Le Samyn and MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will certainly be chasing the victory in this prestigious race.

For the past two years running, Kristian Sbaragli secured 5th place at both editions of Le Samyn. In a race Kristian clearly enjoys, the Italian returns after a fine top 10 at the weekends Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne and with a stronger team to boot than in 13′ & 14′. Theo Bos, Tyler Farrar, Matt Brammeier, Serge Pauwels, Jay Thomson, Jaco Venter and Johann van Zyl will all join Kristian with the aim of putting a MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung rider on to the podium.

The mid-week UCI 1.1 Belgian classic is possibly one for a sprint finish but like all Belgian classics, this 201km race includes a few early Hellingens and some stretches of cobblestones later on which should shake things up. The race concludes with 5 laps of a 24km course. Over the course of the lap there are 3 separate cobbled sectors and the fight for position will be crucial before each sector. No more than 60 riders have made it to the finish line in recent editions of the event.

Kristian Sbaragli – Rider

In the last 2 editions of Samyn I have come 5th. My ambitions for this year is to certainly do better and fight for that victory. I am feeling quite good at the moment and I hope to have a good day on Wednesday where I will be able to play my card. The race is going to be really hard with a few additional cobbles compared to last year so maybe there will be a smaller bunch sprint.

]]>http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?feed=rss2&p=73130GP Lugano: Daniel Teklehaimanot takes GPM prizehttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7300
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7300#commentsSun, 01 Mar 2015 17:12:08 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7300Niccolo Bonifazio (Lampre-Merida) won the GP Lugano from a small group sprint, coming in just ahead of Francesco Gavazzi (Southeast) and Matteo Montaguti (AG2R La Mondiale).Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung unfortunately had no rider placing in the top 10.

Our African team can be pleased with its day’s work though as Daniel Teklehaimanot and Nic Dougall made the big 15 rider break of the day. Daniel would go on to win all 3 of the GPM’s on offer before going solo with 50km to go.

Daniel showed great strength and his brave ride was only brought to an end with 30km to go as a reduced peloton of around 40 riders reeled him in. Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung had a strong presence in this select group and Natnael Berhane would put in an attack in the final 10km of the race.

The race would split up further in the run to the line and a small group of riders would reel in Natnael’s move with 5km to go. With no sprinter among all our African climbers we were not in contention for a top placing.

Jens Zemke – Head of Performance

We won the GPM competition today with Daniel Teklehaimanot. He was in the lead for just about the complete race after he was in the early break along with Nic Dougall and 15 or 16 others. He attacked near the end as well but was brought back. In the last lap 9 riders escaped with Natnael part of the move but they also got brought back around 20 riders. Unfortunately we had no riders in that group so no placing today but the boys rode pretty well and Daniel was on the podium so that is okay.

]]>http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?feed=rss2&p=73000Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne: Kristian Sbaragli sprints to 8thhttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7297
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7297#commentsSun, 01 Mar 2015 16:59:57 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7297Mark Cavendish (Etixx-QuickStep) won the Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne ahead of Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Elia Viviani (Team Sky). Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung had Kristian Sbaragli sprint his way into the top 10 by placing 8th on the line.

It was another impressive display on the Belgian roads by Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung at the Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne today. After the early 8 rider break was nullified with around 70km to go, a number of surges and attacks saw a dangerous 19 rider group ride clear of the peloton by over a minute.

With 5 Etixx-QuickStep riders in the move, including their two captains Cavendish and Tom Boonen, most people thought that was the race winning move. Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung had other ideas though as the African team took control of the peloton and in a powerful display of riding, reeled in the group of favourites.

After such a mammoth effort, setting up for the sprint was the task which still lay ahead. Etixx-QuickStep, Katusha and Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung were the most prominent trains coming into the final as they all looked to position their sprinters. In the end it was Etixx-QuickStep who came out on top.

Kristian Sbaragli ended the day off well with a fine top 10 place for our African team. While a place on the podium was the initial goal, MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung can be proud of its efforts as it announced itself as a genuine classics contending squad after today’s strong performance.

Kristian Sbaragli – Rider

In the finale I was pretty close to Edvald and we were a little far back but were also moving up quickly. At 400m a rider hit the barrier and we had to stop pedaling for a few seconds and we lost our rhythm. Without this obstacle maybe we could have done better. As a team we still rode well to close the big after the Oude Kwaremont. We tried our best today and we can now only look forward to the next races.

J.P. Heynderickx – Sport Director

It was a good result for Kristian today but overall I expected a bit more from the team. We missed the break at a key point but after that we did a good job in the chase. Kristian was 8th which is okay but I think we could’ve done better.

]]>http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?feed=rss2&p=72970Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Strong performance despite bad luck for MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsunghttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7285
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7285#commentsSat, 28 Feb 2015 17:19:02 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7285Ian Stannard (Team Sky) went on to make it 2 victories in 2 years as he out-smarted 3 Etixx-QuickStep riders in the finale to take an emphatic victory at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung had a promising start to their classics campaign despite some bad luck.

Matt Brammeier would represent our African team in the initial 8 rider break of the day. Matt was visibly the strongest rider in the move as they drove out a 5 minute gap over the peloton. With around 80km to go Team Sky brought the race to life and began the chase behind.

While the main field slowly got whittled down to just 40 riders by the 60km to go point, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung were unfortunate to lose Jay Thomson to a crash. Tyler Farrar, Theo Bos and Edvald Boasson Hagen were still part of the select main group while Matt proceeded to force a split of 3 riders up the road.

Matt and his final 2 escapee partners unfortunately had to surrender at the 50km to go banner as Etixx-QuickStep and Lotto-Jumbo came to the fore. Just as this injection of pace was being inflicted upon the race, Tyler and Theo both punctured while Edvald was prominent at the front of the race, following the moves before he too punctured.

Eventually the 3 Etixx – QuickStep riders and Stannard jumped clear with a little under 40km to go. An uncooperative chase group of now only 20 odd riders saw the gap to the front runner’s balloon rather quickly. They would go on to decide the race with Stannard out-smarting the 3 riders from the Belgian squad. Behind them, 4 pursuers would cross the line before the main peloton sprinted in for 9th position. Edvald would be our top finisher just outside of the top 20.

Edvald Boasson Hagen – Rider

It was an okay day, I was feeling better than Oman at least and I was always at the front of the race. It was good to be back racing in Belgian. Unfortunately I got a flat at a bad moment but luckily I got back, there were few chances for me after that.

Matt Brammeier – Rider

We had a good group out front today with the right combination of teams, riders and a couple of strong guys. As soon we got in it I knew it was a good group and we could go quite far. As every climb went by I just tried to push on and make it to the next climb and make it as deep into the race as I could. I made it up to the Haaghoek and then I tried to do as much as I could for the guys but I got flat tyre there at the end which was a bit of bad luck. Maybe I could have done a few more pulls then but I would’ve exploded in the end anyway, so I am happy with my performance.

J.P. Heynderickx – Sports Director

We were in the race today and that was what asked of our guys in our meeting this morning. We needed to be in the break in the beginning and then present again in the final. In the break we had Matt, he was very strong there and made a very good move. Then in the final we were there with 4 riders but they all had flats at a bad moment. We were car 2 in the race and even still we had to take a wheel from the neutral service, which means we were at the very front of the race and is just bad luck. Tyler, Theo and Edvald all punctured at this bad moment. Jay was in very good shape and a key rider in our team but he crashed in the middle of the race. The good thing is we were there in the front and that is a good sign for the upcoming races. I believe in our team for these next races.

]]>http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?feed=rss2&p=72850Preview: GP Luganohttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7280
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7280#commentsFri, 27 Feb 2015 18:29:26 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7280This Sunday the Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung African climbers will be back in action when they start the GP Lugano. The 195km UCI 1.HC event will be the first European race for most of our riders starting on Sunday and they look forward to lighting up the race.

Fresh off their strong performance at the Tour of Oman, Jacques Janse van Rensburg and Louis Meintjes will headline our African team for this Italian race. Our Eritrean trio of Merhawi Kudus, Daniel Teklehaimanot & Natnael Berhane will also all start on Sunday. Nic Dougall, Songezo Jim and Adrien Niyonshuti make up the remainder of the race roster.

While last years edition of the race came down to a select bunch sprint of 11 riders, the tough nature of the 5 lap course could see a number of scenarios play out in Lugano on Sunday. Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will look to make the racing from early on in the hope of eliminating any sprinters who might be lining up for the event.

Louis Meintjes – Rider

I’m happy to have been back in Italy for while. I’m looking forward to Lugano, it’s pretty much starting my European season and it is cool that we are going there with a full African team, it is something special. Jacques and I are definately on some good form so we hope to keep that going. The other guys are also all looking really good so hopefully we can do something on Sunday.

Jens Zemke – Head of Performance

Lugano seems to be a tough race on a pretty hilly circuit which we will complete 5 times. Tinkoff-Saxo will be the team to beat as they rally around Ivan Basso who is a past winner of the event. 195km in the beautiful area of Lugano will see us fighting for a good result with a completely African team.

]]>http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?feed=rss2&p=72800Motorpacing with the boyshttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7277
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7277#commentsFri, 27 Feb 2015 10:12:11 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7277Our team coach Trevor Court is busy these days pacing Daniel Teklehaimanot, Natnael Berhane, and Adrien Niyonshuti through the outskirts of Lucca,Tuscany as they prepare for the upcoming Tour de Langkawi.
]]>http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?feed=rss2&p=72770Preview: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad & Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurnehttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7265
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7265#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 11:44:35 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7265This weekend will see the start of the cobbled spring classics when the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne take place on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Both of these Belgian classics, just like all the others, are renowned for their harsh racing conditions: cold wet weather, wind, small roads, cobbled climbs and a big bunch.The racing is expected to be intense and unforgiving, a spectators dream.

The Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung riders are up for the challenge this weekend as a successful spring classics campaign is one of the teams definite season goals. A positive start this weekend will set the team up nicely for the slightly more arduous classics to come.

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will have 9 riders on hand this weekend with the final rosters for each race being determined closer to the race start. Edvald Boasson Hagen, Gerald Ciolek, Tyler Farrar, Theo Bos, Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Kristian Sbaragli, Youcef Reguigui, Jay Thomson, Jaco Venter and Matt Brammeier are the riders hoping to show their hand at at least one the weekends races.

The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad will see riders tackle 200km’s which will include 11 Hellingen climbs, 5 of which are cobbled, and 10 separate cobbled sectors making the race a true test for the classics specialists. The Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne is 197km’s and lends its self slightly more to a strong sprinter with only 9 Hellingen climbs on the menu.

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will no doubt be out to battle for the top step of the podium at both events and our African supporters will be happy to hear that SuperSport will be broadcasting both events live. Visit www.supersport.com for the broadcast schedule.

Reinardt Janse van Rensburg – Rider

These races are known as the “openingsweekend” among the riders. It is the official opening of the classics season and it offers our first opportunity to test ourselves and to prepare for the bigger classics later. A good showing here can set you up for a good classics season.

Tyler Farrar – Rider

Opening weekend is always something special. After a winter of training and a month of preparation races, it’s the first time to really test yourself on the cobbles. Everybody would like to kick-off their classics campaign with a good result. After a month of waiting for the classics the Belgian fans will go crazy, which makes it pretty cool.

]]>http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?feed=rss2&p=72650Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung invited to Paris-Roubaixhttp://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7269
http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7269#commentsWed, 25 Feb 2015 18:34:07 +0000http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?p=7269Late on Wednesday afternoon the organisers of the Paris-Roubaix announced the 8 wildcards for the Paris-Roubaix. Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung are delighted to have got the nod for the most iconic of Spring Classics. Along with the 7 Pro-Continental wildcards, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung look forward to lining up with the 17 World Tour teams come the 12th of April.

The Paris-Roubaix also has a special place in the hearts of all African cycling fans as for many years, it was only the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix cycling events that were broadcast live in Africa. Aspiring African cyclists either grew up dreaming of racing Le Tour or “The Hell of the North”. We are delighted that our fans will now, for the first time, be able to cheer on an African team during the Paris-Roubaix.

While an invitation to the race is a small victory in itself for our team, MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung head to the Paris-Roubaix with intentions of a podium placing. In Edvald Boasson Hagen, our African team have a rider capable of riding to victory on the Roubaix velodrome. The Norwegian has penned in Paris-Roubaix as his main goal for the season.

The Paris-Roubaix will be broadcast live on SuperSport SS6, check www.supersport.com for more details.

Douglas Ryder – Team Principal

I am speechless again which does not happen often, Paris Roubaix is the Queen of the Classics it is like an action movie that builds up and calms down and builds again with huge drama where the super heroes can change around any corner. It will be another iconic experience for our team and we cannot wait to experience the 113th edition.

Edvald Boasson Hagen – Rider

The goal is to do as well as possible and hopefully do better than I have done before. My goal generally, is to win Roubaix during my career so hopefully it comes this year.

Theo Bos – Rider

I have done the race twice, once was really good and once was not so good. 2010 was really nice, I worked for Thor Hushovd. He had a great result where he finished 2nd and I played a small part in that which was nice. I also finished in the top 60 myself. The next year I rode with Rabobank and that didn’t go so well. I didn’t have the power or legs to be in the front and I didn’t finish. I am looking forward to redeeming myself a bit after that race. I have good memories with the Cervelo and the equipment which works really well at Roubaix. Also, it will be another really strong Norwegian that we will ride in support of so I am glad that we are officially part of the race now.